94 REPTILES AND BIRDS. 
always) of the back and sides are quincuncial, rounded, and im- 
bricate ; the tongue is narrow, short, flat, and but slightly forked ; 
and the head is of a conical shape, and is covered with regular 
shields. 
Of the families thus characterised, some only have distinct eyelids, 
as the families Acontiade, Ophiomorida, Sepside, and Scincide ; 
while others have the eyelids rudimentary and the eyes exposed, as 
the families Lza/iside, Aprastade, Pygopodide, and Gymnopthalmide. 
In the Acontiade the nostrils are placed in the enlarged rostral plate, 
with a longitudinal slit behind. The form of the body much 
resembles that of our common Orvet, or Blind-worm, and their limbs, 
when present, are so rudimentary that they can aid little in locomotion. 
One genus, Acovtias, is without limbs, and the eyes are furnished with 
a lower lid, while the upper eyelid is rudimentary. Of this, one 
species, A. me/cagris, inhabits South Africa ; and another, A. Zayarait, 
has been discovered in Ceylon. The genus WVessia has four rudi- 
mentary limbs, and the rostral shield is large, sub-conical, and de- 
pressed. In one species, V. monodact)/, the limbs are diminutive, the 
posterior placed far apart from the anterior, all being very short, weak, 
and undivided into toes. In another, . Lurtoni, each foot is 
divided into three minute toes. Both species are peculiar (so far as 
known) to Ceylon, and the habits of this family are much the same 
as those of our common Orvet (Aveuis fragilis). 
The family of Ophzomoride is founded on a single genus and 
species, Ophiomorus miliaris, which inhabits North Africa. As re- 
marked by Dr. Gray, this reptile seems to be intermediate to the 
Acontiade and the Scncide, and makes it appear as if the large 
rostral shield of the former was formed of the united rostral, supra- 
nasal, and nasal shields of the present family, and of the Scncide. It 
has an elongate, cylindrical body, without external limbs, and the 
ears are hidden under the skin; the eyes are distinct, with valvular 
eyelid; and the scales of the body and somewhat elongate tail are 
hexagonal. 
The Sepside differ ee the preceding, and also from the great 
family of the Scincide, by having the nostrils placed in the front 
edge of a small shield, in a notch at the hinder side of the rostral 
plate, which latter is rather large and square. The eyes are dis-_ 
tinct, the lower eyelid scaly, or with a transparent disc; body 
fusiform or sub-cylindrical, elongate. These reptiles burrow in dry 
sand, and are peculiar to the anciently-known continents and certain 
islands. Some have a wedge-shaped head, with prominent rostral 
plate. Of these the genus Sphenops has more developed limbs, 
